The gloves: Stellar defense gives Sox an edge in the postseason

Tuesday

Sep 25, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 25, 2007 at 3:17 PM

It might have been the defining defensive moment of the season.

Bob Stern

It might have been the defining defensive moment of the season.

Baltimore’s Miguel Tejada hit a shot up the middle that looked destined for center field. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, off at the crack of the bat, took a couple of steps to his right and dove for the ball, snaring it in his glove.

He quickly rose to his feet and fired to Kevin Youkilis at first base, the ball narrowly beating Tejada to the bag.

Two innings later, Clay Buchholz finished his no-hitter.

“Every single one of us takes pride on every aspect of the game, and we know defense is very important for us,” said shortstop Julio Lugo.

Pedroia’s play might have been the most memorable of the season, but it’s by no means the only one.

It seems every series, center fielder Coco Crisp makes a diving grab of a shallow fly ball or chases down a deep drive to the gap.

Mike Lowell seems to snare anything that comes his way, and Lugo goes into the hole to take away base hits.

Kevin Youkilis is working on a record for consecutive errorless games by a first baseman, and Jason Varitek has been stellar behind the plate.

J.D. Drew, maligned for his output at the plate, hasn’t taken his troubles to the outfield with him, and even Manny Ramirez has had his moments in left.

Combined, the team is nothing short of terrific on defense. With the playoffs set to begin next week, the Sox rank first in the American League with the fewest errors and first with the highest fielding percentage.

With that support behind them, no wonder Red Sox pitchers have the lowest ERA in the American League.

“It helps out a lot just knowing that if a ball’s in the air long enough, they’re probably going to run it down,” said Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester. “It’s saved a lot of extra-base hits and RBI for the other team. If a guy hits the ball, there’s a pretty good chance someone’s going to catch it and throw them out.”

There isn’t a whole lot of praise that goes to the defense, even though the Gold Glove awards are given annually to the best defensive players at each position in both leagues. But those pale next to MVP and Cy Young awards.

Nevertheless, making a great play in the field often brings the same satisfaction as getting a key hit.

“We’re one of the best defensive clubs in the league,” said Crisp. “That’s a big part of winning games; not giving up extra runs, especially against the type of lineups you face day in and day out with the new era of hitting.

“If you give teams extra outs in a game, it can make a big difference between a win and a loss.”

The Sox could have a couple of Gold Glove winners this year; Youkilis certainly is a candidate at first base as is Crisp in the outfield.

“It’s always good to get personal stuff, whatever awards,” said Crisp. “I don’t know if that’s what you play for, but it would be nice to get some hardware and show my grandchildren someday. That would be something special to talk about later on in life.”

Crisp has an ally in Lugo.

“I think he’s the best I’ve played with all my life,” said the Red Sox shortstop. “He makes incredible plays.

Crisp and Lugo also gave shoutouts to Youkilis winning an award as well.

“He’s great,” said Crisp. “He’s definitely going for one of his own. If he didn’t have a couple of errors at third base, he’d probably be getting some notoriety at first base; and he still might.

“He’s unbelievable at first base picking the ball and moving back and flipping the ball to the pitchers. He’s right on the money all the time.”

Said Lugo, “He’s been good, he’s been terrific.”

If the Sox go deep into the playoffs, credit probably will be given to the pitching or hitting, but those in the clubhouse know the importance of defense.

“The pitching has been great, so defense is what’s going to take us to the edge,” said Lugo. “One day, you might not be able to get that big hit, but if you make that big play, then you’ve got a chance to shine, too.”

Just like Pedroia did for Buchholz.

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